No stick and a small carrot: Can the federal government fix health care?

02/17/23 • 49 min

This week on "It’s Political," we take a look at what’s plaguing the country's health-care system, from long wait lines in emergency rooms to the lack of family doctors. What will it take to fix health care in Canada?

First, we hear directly from health professionals about the problems they've witnessed firsthand and the solutions they’d like to see. Then, host Althia Raj sits down with Canada’s Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos to discuss the federal government’s new funding arrangement with the provinces, the minister’s expectations of what the money will buy, and his stance on the increasing presence of for-profit care.

In this episode: Canada’s Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, Toronto Star health reporter Megan Ogilvie, former federal health minister Dr. Jane Philpott, a family doctor, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and director of the School of Medicine at Queen’s University, and CEO of the Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization, Dr. Taylor Lougheed, a family, emergency, sport, and cannabinoid physician and chief of emergency medicine services at the North Bay Regional Hospital, longtime registered public health nurse Maureen Cava, who now works with the Safehaven Project for Community Living in Toronto, Dr. Katharine Smart, the past president of the Canadian Medical Association and a pediatrician who works in Whitehorse, Yukon, Dr. Alika LaFontaine, the president of the Canadian Medical Association and an anesthesiologist in Grande Prairie, Alberta, registered nurse Melanie Spence, who works in primary care in a community health centre in Toronto, Dr. Tara Kiran, a family doctor at St Michael's Hospital, a scientist at the MAP Center for Urban Health Solutions, and the Fidani Chair in Improvement and Innovation at the University of Toronto. Hosted by Althia Raj.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from the CBC, Global, CTV and CPAC.

“It’s Political” is produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from the CBC, Global, CTV and CPAC.

“It’s Political” is produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

Previous Episode

Justin Trudeau's next moves: A sit down with the Prime Minister

This week on “It’s Political,” we bring you Toronto Star’s columnist Susan Delacourt’s interview with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The two sat down together on Jan. 17 in Windsor, Ont., for a candid conversation on his future and the future of his government.

In this episode: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Toronto Star columnist Susan Delacourt. Hosted by Althia Raj.

08:10 - On what’s shaping his views right now
10:56 - On the so-called “Freedom Convoy” hatred towards him 12:47 - On the criticism he’s ashamed of Canada’s past
16:05 - On Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre
20:14 - On why he plans to stick around for the next election
23:36 - On NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and the agreement with the NDP
25:27 - On the timing of the next election
25:55 - On U.S. President Joe Biden and the North American economy
30:42 - On being a “disruptor”
32:46 - On getting government to move faster
34:21 - On Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s health care reforms
36:17 - On the need for better data
38:30 - On what keeps him up at night.

“It’s Political” is produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

Next Episode

Why Jagmeet Singh still wants to prop up the Liberals

This week on “It’s Political,” we take stock of the supply and confidence agreement the Liberals and NDP agreed to last March. In exchange for supporting the Liberal government on confidence matters until June 2025, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh received assurances Ottawa would enact a dental care program for low and middle income Canadians, as well as move ahead on a number of shared priorities, such as pharmacare, housing, climate change and reconciliation with Canada's Indigenous Peoples.

One year later, how have things panned out?

First, we’ll hear what the public has to say, including from Liberal and NDP voters, with exclusive polling from Abacus Data. Then, we’ll discuss the risks and benefits of Singh's decision to side so closely with the Liberals with some of the NDP’s best strategists. And finally, we’ll sit down with the NDP leader.

In this episode: NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, former MP David Christopherson, former NDP director of issues management Ian Wayne, former NDP national director Karl Bélanger, Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, long-time New Democrat Dennis Van Meer, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan. Hosted by Althia Raj.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from the CPAC, the House of Commons, CBC and CTV.

“It’s Political” is produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.